Hydroponics—sounds futuristic, but it’s really quite an old method of gardening. Hydroponic gardening involves growing plants in water instead of soil. This method has been around since Bible times—ever heard of the hanging gardens of Babylon? Those clever Babylonians discovered that their flowers and veggies grew faster if they didn’t use a soil mix.  By feeding the plants with water running through the roots, growers could get sometimes as much as twice the growth because they didn’t have to worry so much about the alkalinity or acidity of the soil.

Today we have much more sophisticated and easier ways of growing using hydroponics.  Think you’d like to try hydroponic growing? Take a moment to review these tips for success.

1. Water: Water should be neutral in alkalinity or acidity (ideally about 6.3 pH).

2.  Food: Use a fertilizer that dissolves and mixes easily with water.  Our recommendations are to use FoxFarm products because they are water soluble, organic (OMRI) approved, and easy to use.

3.  “Soil”: Use a base for holding plants upright in the water like mesh pots, Hydroton (little pellets of clay), plastic clone mesh, vermiculite, or perlite.  You can even use old marbles from your childhood as a “soil” for your plants!

4. O2: Install a small pump in your hydroponic system to continually oxygenate your water.  Roots must have oxygenated water to grow.

5. Light: Plants need light!  Use good lighting, either sunlight, or light bulbs that carry more of the red and blue spectrum of the light for growing the best plants.  Fourteen hours of light and ten hours of darkness is best for great plants and veggies.

6.  Heat: Temperatures should be in the range of 75 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night for optimum growth.

We at Niemann’s Gardens want you to be a successful gardener. We would be happy to help you as you explore gardening with hydroponics!

–Scott and Birgie Niemann

Questions? Call us at 970-984-3850